24
A. A. Inyinbor et al.
5 Exposure Risks and Biocompatibility
Pollutants persist or pseudo-persist in nature to degradation and continuous accumulation poise environmental risks [98]. Deterioration of water quality is not the only
resultant effects of water pollutants, but the detrimental threats to human health,
animal ecological system and plant habitats [99]. The interwoven interaction of the
ecosystem through the food web-enhanced the environmental risk of these pollutants
[100]. Hence, the probability of transference from plants to animals and to humans.
5.1 Effect on Human
Pollutants in water find its path into the food web through diverse means and these
include diet and direct discharge into the water environment amongst others [101].
This is prominent in developing economies in that there is little or no awareness
of the existence of these pollutants in water bodies. Such an economy either uses
conventional water treatment techniques or no treatment at all before the discharge
of water to the environment for use. The conventional treatment technique removes
the large pollutants, while the trace level contaminants are still predominant in the
water bodies. Accumulation and assimilation of these substances in the body system
introduce different health challenges [102]. There is a wide range of health challenge
traceable to ingestion of pollutants some of these includes: leukemia, cancer, brain
tumor, dysmenorrhea, infertility and abortion amongst others [103, 104].
5.2 Effect on Plants
The effect of water pollutants on plants cannot be overlooked as both man and animal
feeds on plants directly or indirectly through the food chain. The pathway of these
pollutants is through irrigation, leaching and surface runoff [103]. However, plants
uptake both vital and non-vital nutrients from the soil for its growth. Accumulations
of the non-vital nutrients are detrimental to plants, humans and animals [105]. The
ingestion of these pollutants via the plant root forms the basis of its transference to the
food chain. Subsequently, accidental ingestion of unwashed raw plants contributes
to human and animal exposure [106].
5.3 Effect on Animals
Animals are directly affected by water pollutants as it serves as habitat for aquatic
animals and source of diet on plants for terrestrial animals. Water quality that aids
A. A. Inyinbor et al.
5 Exposure Risks and Biocompatibility
Pollutants persist or pseudo-persist in nature to degradation and continuous accumulation poise environmental risks [98]. Deterioration of water quality is not the only
resultant effects of water pollutants, but the detrimental threats to human health,
animal ecological system and plant habitats [99]. The interwoven interaction of the
ecosystem through the food web-enhanced the environmental risk of these pollutants
[100]. Hence, the probability of transference from plants to animals and to humans.
5.1 Effect on Human
Pollutants in water find its path into the food web through diverse means and these
include diet and direct discharge into the water environment amongst others [101].
This is prominent in developing economies in that there is little or no awareness
of the existence of these pollutants in water bodies. Such an economy either uses
conventional water treatment techniques or no treatment at all before the discharge
of water to the environment for use. The conventional treatment technique removes
the large pollutants, while the trace level contaminants are still predominant in the
water bodies. Accumulation and assimilation of these substances in the body system
introduce different health challenges [102]. There is a wide range of health challenge
traceable to ingestion of pollutants some of these includes: leukemia, cancer, brain
tumor, dysmenorrhea, infertility and abortion amongst others [103, 104].
5.2 Effect on Plants
The effect of water pollutants on plants cannot be overlooked as both man and animal
feeds on plants directly or indirectly through the food chain. The pathway of these
pollutants is through irrigation, leaching and surface runoff [103]. However, plants
uptake both vital and non-vital nutrients from the soil for its growth. Accumulations
of the non-vital nutrients are detrimental to plants, humans and animals [105]. The
ingestion of these pollutants via the plant root forms the basis of its transference to the
food chain. Subsequently, accidental ingestion of unwashed raw plants contributes
to human and animal exposure [106].
5.3 Effect on Animals
Animals are directly affected by water pollutants as it serves as habitat for aquatic
animals and source of diet on plants for terrestrial animals. Water quality that aids